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Spring 1997 - Yorkshire Dales (Stainforth, Dent, Dent, Stainforth)
Thursday 15th May
Dick Grundy, Graham Busch, Jack Relph and Phil Chainey left Jack's at 09.25 arriving at The Lister Arms Hotel Malham 12.47. Where Dick McKay and Paul Keech (who had driven up the night before as he could make use of a BT hire car and accompany Dick on some of his Pennine Way walk). After lunch the warm up walk around Malham was undertaken via Janets Foss, Gordale Scar up the waterfall towards Malham Tarn then back to Malham Cove along the Pennine Way to the Cove. Dick G, Jack and Phil went along the Dry Valley past water sinks to the top of the cove. As they were leaving the top of the cove they met John Stopani who had been held up and could not make the lunch time meet. We then went back to the cars and onward to the Hostel. Phil had found the going tough but had enjoyed his first outing.
Later after we had checked in and made our beds. We went for our evening meal at the Craven Heifer. It was ok but not the best meal we've had on our trips. Pat Jennings, John Creasey, Andy Capp and Norman Hart joined us about 21.15 saying there had been problems with the navigator (PAT) whereupon Pat said he was not looking at a map again all weekend. Pat and Party had stopped at Skipton for a quick pee, food (fish & chips) and a pint in the Ship where the art deco figures created a lasting memory.
The weather had been sunny to start with but clouded over during lunch however it was not cold and remained fine.
Friday 16th May
Todays route was straight from Stainforth along the Ribble Way for a short way then up Pen-y-Gent, at the top follow the unmarked 3 peaks way path to the Station Inn at Ribblehead for lunch. After lunch along the B6255 towards Hawes until you reach the Ribble Way then along that until you reach the road down to Dent Dale going along the road to the Hostel. Those walking were Paul, Graham, Dick Mckay, Andy, John S, John C, Pat and Dick G.
Norman, Jack and Phil stayed on the Ribble Way, as they did not fancy Pen-y-gent, but lost the path in Horton after a tea break (the rest of us will try some for that tea next time). They then continued up the road to the Station Inn to meet the rest for lunch and walked the same route after lunch.
It had been a hard day for most with a steep climb as soon as we started walking; there was drizzle, wind and poor visibility as we climbed getting worse nearer the summit. Descending was better as we were in the lea of the wind and the visibility improved but problems were encountered crossing the peat bogs with John Stopani winning the contest for the deepest entry (knee deep).
Roland was supposed to meet us for lunch but had been held up, the thought of carrying our packs again in the afternoon was not enjoyed, but as we were leaving the Station Inn at 15:30 who should turn up but Saint Roland! Packs were soon divested and installed in Rolands bag carrying service, arranging to meet him later at the hostel we carried on with renewed vigour!
The hostel was a quaint place with superb views when the weather cleared. After a shower we went to the Sportsmans Inn for nourishment and refreshment just over a mile down the road.
There was some dispute in the dorm when we got back, as when Graham tried to get into his bed, Norman was already in it swearing that he had made it but the rest of us had seen Graham in it before we went to the pub, also Norman had tried to get John Stopani's bunk the night before. Was it that Norman was losing his head for heights or he just wanted a BOTTOM BUNK, anyway he was left in the bottom on his own and Graham moved bunks?
Dent Youth Hostel.
Saturday 17th May
Several different routes taken today they are as follows: -
Group 1 Andy, Paul and Graham up Dent Dale taking the path up to the railway then over the top of the tunnel to Blea Moor along almost to the Ribblehead Viaduct then up Whernside. After descending they took the Dales way into Dent to meet in the Sun Inn for lunch.
Group 2 Pat and John Stopani as group 1 but picked up the
Dales Way as it crossed Blea Moor missing out Whernside making lunch at Dent
Group 3 Norman, Jack, Roland and Phil as per the others but carried on to the Station Inn for lunch then caught the train back to Dent station walking back to the hostel.
Group 4 Dick Mckay, John C and Dick G a gentle stroll along the Dales Way by the river into Dent stopping in the tea shop as it was too early to go in the pub where they met the others for lunch.
An excellent Cumberland sausage dinner was had by all we then moved on to the George and Dragon Hotel, like the Sun Inn a Dent Brewery house, to watch the cup final. To add some interest a sweep was organised as to who scored the first goal as a goal was scored after 45 seconds that soon went flat. Pat won the sweep but left with John Stopani at half time so he didn't have to get the beers in. After the match we walked back along the valley the same way as group had came.
On the journey back we saw the returning steam special, which was group 3's reason for not going to Dent, most impressive it looked as it travelled by.
Another excellent evening meal was taken at the Sportsmans Inn.
The weather had started off damp with cloud cover on the hills but gradually brightened so that by 15:00 the sun was out leaving a pleasant walk back to the hostel.
Stainforth Youth Hostel.
Sunday 18th May
Again a divergence of routes with the aim of meeting at Horton in Ribblesdale for lunch or the hostel at Stainforth later.
Group 1 Norman, Jack and Phil walked up to Dent station to get the train to Ribblehead and walk South along the Ribble Way as they had missed it on the up to Dentdale between Horton and Stainforth.
Group 2 Dick G, John S, John C and Pat planed to walk to Rib Blehead station and get the train to Horton but as they were walking by the viaduct the train passed by. The route taken up to now was as been used by the other groups on Saturday over the tunnel and Blea Moor, they carried on stopping for a cup of tea on the road near the viaduct then keeping off the road as much as possible until Selside where the road was followed to Horton, as both Johns were having troubles with their knees, Pat stayed with them and Dick followed a path to Sulber which joined the path from Ingelborough to Horton, coming out at the station.
Group 3 Andy, Paul, Dick Mckay and Graham took the same route to start with but turned off just before Ribblehead viaduct. Going up Ingelborough then down to Horton via the path that comes into the station. Roland went to Ingleton and bought a "CHEAP" pair of gaiters then walked up Ingleborough where he met group 3 at the summit, descending to Ingleton to get his car and go to the cafe at Horton.
Most stopped at the Pen-y-Gent cafe to have a pint of tea and a slab of cake before going on to the Golden Lion Hotel for a late lunch.
John C who had been struggling, with a bad knee, to get to Horton waited in the Golden Lion for Roland to arrive so he could have a lift to the Hostel, so the rest of us kept him company. As the sun beamed we migrated to the garden discussing the nights quiz questions with the landlady. When departure time came around the skies darkened, the landlady got her washing in and we went into the bar to have one for the road as severe precipitation looked imminent. When we got back to the bar a transformation had occurred, it was a stunning improvement.
During the downpour 2 other people who were in the bar were overheard ordering a taxi to the Hostel so Dick G and John S offered to go half's on the fare, this was agreeable and worked out to be a pound a head including tip. John C went with Roland in his car the rest walked along the river to Helwith Bridge then along a back road to the Hostel. As it happened the only people to get wet were Norman, Jack and Phil who had not stopped for a beer.
The evenings repast was taken at the curry house in Settle, it was ok but not brilliant then back to the Craven Heifer for refreshment. Whilst in Settle, in the shop window near the curry house was a pair of gaiters similar to Rolands but a third cheaper (they must have been of inferior quality). This was pointed out to Roland with much amusement.
The weather for the day started with low cloud and light rain, brightening up by lunch time, heavy shower 16.00 - 17.00, fine after then.
The Golden Lion, Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
Monday 19th May
Home Day Best weather yet
The early morning sun caused Andy and Paul to go up Ingelbourgh again with the hope of clear views, although it was hazy they could see both Pen-y gent and Whernside.
John S shot of home as after he had talked to Roland about Skoda's the previous day he felt he needed to change a head gasket on one of his cars, before his planned trip to Czeckoslovakia, he didn't even wait for the group picture outside Stainforth Hostel.
Roland took Dick McKay to Horton to continue his Pennine Way walk, then met us at Ingleton.
The rest of the party had gone to Ingleton to do a short walk before going home, the start of which was somewhat delayed as Roland had arranged for us to all meet in several places taking some time to get us all in one place! The walk was pleasant up to Thornton Force across to Breezy Falls and back to the cars, though the beauty suffered with a lack of water in the rivers. It had been an uneventful walk but Pat developed afterburners towards the end with a need to visit a special house.
Lunch was taken at The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Ingleton being served fine ale and food by a barmaid who would rather drink 8 pints of bitter than glasses of wine. As we sat in the garden we could see the skies getting darker towards the direction of home.
The journey home was not too bad taking 4 hours Ingleton to Luton not bad as there were some hold ups with heavy rain and traffic on the M6 around Birmingham. Roland and Paul went down to the A1/M1 and took about the same time.
It had been a good walk despite the poor visibility at times; Phil had enjoyed his first walk and hoped to join us again.
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